Dear Editor,
As Guyana stands on the brink of transformation, the year 2025 presents a significant opportunity to address the pressing needs of all citizens on a personal level.
With our country’s enormously rich natural resources, diverse cultural landscape, different peoples, and immense potential, there is a compelling case for ensuring that every Guyanese can enjoy a good and comfortable life, irrespective of their geographic location, social status, religious belief, or political affiliation.
Our country is endowed with substantial natural wealth, including vast reserves of oil and gas, fertile agricultural lands, and rich biodiversity. However, the reality of our challenge lies not in the abundance of resources, but in the equitable distribution of wealth among the population.
As the country continues to develop its infrastructure, particularly in healthcare, education, agriculture, roadways, and power generation, it is crucial to ensure these advancements translate into tangible benefits for all citizens on a personal level. Our goal as a country should be to create a society wherein every individual can thrive and experience a good life. Most would agree that a livable income is central to improving the quality of life for our fellow Guyanese. Currently, many working-class citizens and hardworking public servants struggle to meet their basic needs, illustrating a disconnect between national wealth and individual prosperity. For instance, the fact that a family of four must save significantly to dine at a decent restaurant highlights the economic strain many face daily.
Government needs to prioritize policies that elevate wages and create job opportunities that reflect the country’s wealth. A livable income is not just a financial necessity; it is a fundamental aspect of human dignity and wellbeing. We welcome and accept cash to give back to the people, but there is more honour and dignity in one earning fairly for one’s labour.
As Government prepares to unveil its 2025 budget, it must consider the overarching question that resonates with the average Guyanese: “What is in it for me?”. While infrastructural improvements are vital, citizens are equally concerned about their immediate needs and aspirations. Government should focus equally on creating economic policies that foster stability and growth, ensuring that all citizens could access quality education, healthcare and justice; and on fostering an environment that is conducive to entrepreneurship and innovation, in order to empower individuals to pursue economic freedom, thus enhancing their quality of life.
Further, in order to achieve this vision of inclusive development, Government must implement policies that are reflective of the diverse needs of its population. Those include investing in community-based initiatives that address local issues, and engaging citizens in the decision-making process.
By prioritizing social equity and ensuring that marginalized groups have access to opportunities, the Government can foster a more cohesive society.
Finally, in 2025, Government and society as a whole must prioritize the personal and economic needs of every citizen. By focusing on creating a livable income, fostering economic freedom, and implementing inclusive policies, our country can transform its wealth into a reality that benefits all.
The vision for a comfortable life, a good life for every Guyanese, is not just a lofty aspiration, but a tangible goal that can be achieved through collective effort and commitment to equity. Ultimately, the true measure of a nation’s progress lies in the wellbeing of its people; and in 2025, Guyana would have the opportunity to realize this vision.
Yours respectfully,
Jermaine Figueira,
Honorable Member of Parliament
